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This week's English football updates, a key midfielder was given a significant ban, a manager has pointed out a defender's errors to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment after an erratic victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match suspension and a financial fine for improper behaviour during a recent match versus Leeds United. The governing body said the player faced an independent regulatory commission following allegations of spitting towards visiting fans at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA release said: “A disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the rules of the game and/or in a poor way by using abusive and indecent conduct through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game suspension and a fine after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions are to be released in due course.” The team, currently in 19th place in the table, visit 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Errors to Prove a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is not a problem for his team, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from having a bad game during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in their setback. He made his case by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was mentioning experienced personnel. I know that when we don’t win, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but I think why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Did he play good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from a recent scare against Fulham with the episode is now in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 win in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in the prior game, it raised more questions about whether City are resilient enough to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse the cause, so as not to concede so many goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and five against Fulham it shows our sides, right? So, always done many positive things. Yet the number of attempts had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not good. And attempts for Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded we can see too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. He arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's talks have assumed some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was much more secure than the one I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to be out for another week.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for the side play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it won't be repeated because he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke internally. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also understands the significant strain on his side, who are 18th before Saturday's fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We are fighting for survival. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when their regular strikers return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second goal in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|